Mike Lipsitz, Author at Z107.7 FM Joshua Tree

Joshua Basin Water District seeking a member for open board seat

March 24, 2023

The Joshua Basin water District Board of Directors has one open seat, and they want you to fill it. The remaining directors will appoint one person to fill the seat from all those who apply, but Joshua Tree residents must apply to be considered. Plans are for the board to interview qualified applicants at the regular April 19 meeting. The successful applicant must be a registered voter who resides in the water district’s division two. More information and an application will be posted at…

Western Joshua Tree denied Federal Protection

by Mike Lipsitz

March 19, 2023

Listen here: While local and regional focus has been on California Fish and Wildlife’s deliberations on permanently listing the western Joshua tree on the state’s endangered species list, the same debate has been going on at the federal level. Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to list the iconic tree under the federal Endangered Species Act. Under consideration since 2015, the federal agency had previously rejected a petition to list the species, but following an appeal by…

Joshua Basin Water District remembers Barbara Delph, plans how to fill vacant board seat

by Mike Lipsitz

March 16, 2023

Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency meeting agenda for Oct. 11

Last night (March 15, 2023) in Joshua Tree, directors at the Joshua Basin Water District made tearful tributes to late director Barbara Delph and discussed how to fill the board seat her death leaves open. The water district’s open director seat will be filled by board appointment. That was the decision made last night. The only other available options were to hold a very costly special election in November, or take no action in which case county supervisors would appoint the new director. Plans…

Wednesday Water Roundup for Mar. 15

by Mike Lipsitz

March 15, 2023

Wednesday Water Roundup – regular meeting for JBWD, Hi-Desert

The Hi-Desert Water District board of directors, which serves Yucca Valley, meets at 4 p.m. today (March 15, 2023). And down the highway, in Joshua Tree, the Joshua Basin Water District’s regular meeting begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. In addition to informational items, directors at the Hi-Desert Water District will consider a $100,000 outside contract for the monitoring and reporting of discharge from the wastewater treatment plant. The meeting takes place at the district office on the highway at…

Proposed Flamingo Heights Glamping Project Denied

by Mike Lipsitz

March 12, 2023

The controversial, 70-unit glamping resort planned along the edge of Pipes Canyon in Flamingo Heights died following a public hearing before the County Planning Commission yesterday in San Bernardino. Reporter Mike Lipsitz files this report… Despite a recommendation for approval from the County Department of Land Use Services, the project was “denied without prejudice” when no one on the planning commission was willing to make a motion to approve a Conditional Use Permit. Without that permit,…

Flamingo Heights glamping development public hearing today, Mar. 9th at 9AM

by Mike Lipsitz

March 9, 2023

The controversial 640-acre glamping development proposed for Flamingo Heights is the subject of a public hearing at this morning’s (March 9, 2023) 9 a.m. meeting of the County Planning Commission in San Bernardino. Beverly Hills developer, RoBott Land Company, is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a 75-unit glamping resort on 25 acres of a 640-acre parcel. Proposed for the east side of State Route 247 near La Brisa Road, the campground would also feature a restaurant and bar, camp store, pool,…

640-acre Flamingo Heights glamping development public hearing this Thursday, Mar. 9

by Mike Lipsitz

March 7, 2023

Listen here: The controversial 640-acre glamping development proposed for Flamingo Heights is the subject of a public hearing at this Thursday’s (March 9, 2023) 9 a.m. meeting of the County Planning Commission in San Bernardino. Beverly Hills developer, RoBott Land Company, is seeking a Conditional Use Permit for a 75-unit glamping resort on 25 acres of a 640-acre parcel. Proposed for the east side of State Route 247 near La Brisa Road, the campground would also feature a restaurant and bar,…

Joshua Basin Water District approves smaller rate increase, larger rate hike still on table

by Mike Lipsitz

February 18, 2023

Last night was the final public outreach effort before the district’s board decision on rate hikes. After more than three-and-half hours of public comments and board discussion directors settled on a plan no one expected. They approved the 75% rate increase model that has been on the table but will use that as a rate ceiling and implement instead a 9% increase and dip into some of the district’s reserves to make up the difference. The decision leaves the board the option to bring rates up to a…

Morongo Basin Conservation Association offering three scholarships for high school seniors

by Mike Lipsitz

February 17, 2023

The Morongo Basin Conservation Association is offering three $1000 scholarships for graduating high school seniors who live in Morongo Basin and will enroll full-time at a college or university this fall. Successful applicants must demonstrate in a roughly 500-word application essay how environmental conservation relates to their academic major and/or educational and career goals. Any major or degree program will be considered, with a preference for science, technology, engineering, arts, and…

Bighorn-Desert View water meeting authorizes $11 Million dollar grant, fee increase for new service

by Mike Lipsitz

February 15, 2023

At last night’s (February 14, 2023) board meeting of the Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency in Landers, directors approved two resolutions, each of which promises to give the district a boost. The board authorized funding of an $11 million dollar grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. The grants will fund the long-time goal of tying together the Goat Mountain and Bighorn-Desert View water systems which opens the door for a number of efficiencies one of which is the blending of water…

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